Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty-one
Malachi's POV
"Said he wanted to get to Alicia. Wanted my help. Said he'd make it worth my while."
"And you agreed?"
"I pretended to agree. I met with him. Gained his trust. Found out what he was planning."
"Which was?"
"Kidnapping Lia. Holding her for ransom. Using her to get money from both families and to punish Alicia for leaving him. For choosing you over him."
My hands clenched into fists. "And you didn't think to tell me this?"
"I was going to. Tonight. I was getting final confirmation of his plans so we could stop him permanently."
"You wired him fifty thousand dollars."
"To make him think I was serious. To gain his trust. The money went to an account Maurice controls. Robert doesn't actually have access to it."
I looked at Robert. "Is this true?"
Robert's face twisted with rage. "He's lying. He said he'd help me. He promised—"
